The BBC was today accused of “unacceptably” blocking the probe into the death of Mark Duggan as his family joined calls for key footage of the shooting scene to be handed to investigators.
The existence of the film, which shows Mr Duggan’s body lying in the street and the immediate aftermath of the killing last August, was only revealed a few days ago when extracts were broadcast by the BBC.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission responded by asking for the full tape to be handed to it amid concern that it could contain potentially vital evidence which will help to establish exactly what happened.
The BBC, which has secretly had the footage for nine months, refused and told investigators that it would have to obtain a court order to obtain the material in a stance that was today denounced by representatives of Mr Duggan’s family.
Pastor Nims Obunge, a church leader in Tottenham who is a member of the IPCC panel set up to liaise with Mr Duggan’s family, said there was no justification for the BBC’s action.
“It is clearly vital for the investigation to see this footage,” he said.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “We would be happy to provide the IPCC with the material we have broadcast. However, we require a court order before releasing untransmitted footage.”
